May the mumbling commence!
Change deep for the Lord. Yes, our living Lord calls us to deep change. Read a passage from Romans chapter two:
Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. If those who are not circumcised keep the law's requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God. (Verses 25-29)
Following God is much more than jumping through hoops. We could get caught up in the detail of the individual trees and miss the forest. We could focus on the Law and miss entirely the principles on which it is built.
As in this example, physical circumcision is the sign of the Law – it is not the Law in and of itself. Obedience is defined rather in the keeping of the Law’s requirements. If one circumcised in the flesh does not keep the Law, God sees him as uncircumcised. If one not circumcised keeps the Law, God will see her as circumcised.
Circumcision was never meant to be a merely outward sign. The scalpel of the Living God goes much deeper. Circumcision is of the spirit and the heart. It is not based on outward appearances or actions. Christians do because they are. Being comes first. And God’s pleasure is the highest goal.
Write Your Law on our hearts and souls, O God. May the power of Your Holy Spirit indwell us and help us to be. And, as we are Christians, may we do out of our being to glorify Your holy Name.
There is no greater goal for humankind!
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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